Dolphins Own Miami’s Heart, but Dolfans Deserve New Heroes and Glory Days
MIAMI — They say you never forget your first love, and for many, that love is sports. Whether it was a standout player, a championship season, or a cherished memory, that one team becomes woven into the fabric of our lives, evoking fierce loyalty despite occasional disappointments.
For South Florida, that team is the Miami Dolphins.
Growing up in South Florida, I remember attending the Dolphins’ first home game at the old Orange Bowl with my dad in 1966. I decorated my room with a Dolphins pennant and collected player cards from local eateries.
As the Dolphins kick off their 59th season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, I’m the columnist who must remain impartial, but inside, I’m still that kid dreaming of catching passes like Paul Warfield with my dad.
Recently, I spotted a fellow fan wearing an “I Still Call It Joe Robbie Stadium” shirt at Publix. We exchanged a knowing smile, a silent acknowledgment of our shared passion.
This connection unites us in a way few other teams can. While many sports fans support various teams, the Dolphins hold a special place in our hearts.
In the early years, the Dolphins struggled with a 15-39-2 record until Don Shula arrived in 1970, transforming the franchise. By 1971, they were in the Super Bowl, achieving an unmatched Perfect Season in 1972 and winning again in 1973. Shula made Miami a name in sports, forging a strong community spirit.
Although the team hasn’t experienced that level of success in recent decades, the nostalgia of those glory days lingers. Dan Marino brought excitement when he was drafted in 1983, introducing a high-powered passing game that mirrored the flashiness of the era, yet he never secured a Super Bowl win—a regret shared by Shula.
Today, as the 2024 season begins, fans yearn for new heroes to rise and rekindle that magic. The Dolphins haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1973, haven’t played in one since 1984, and haven’t won a playoff game since 2000—marking the longest playoff drought in the NFL.
Left tackle Terron Armstead expressed empathy for the fans’ struggles, emphasizing that the team feels that weight and desires to bring pride back to Dolfans.
Under coach Mike McDaniel, with star receiver Tyreek Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins are fun and dynamic but have yet to break the droughts that haunt the franchise. Fans wonder who will join the legendary ranks of Shula and Marino.
Generations of fans know the Dolphins’ best moments only through stories and old memorabilia. The team is a cherished family heirloom in a city that lacked major sports franchises when Joe Robbie established the Dolphins in 1966.
While the University of Miami’s football program has had its ups and downs, it doesn’t overshadow the NFL’s prominence in the area. The Marlins have struggled with ownership issues, and the Panthers and Inter Miami lack the sustained support needed to claim the city.
The Miami Heat have enjoyed success with titles, but even they face challenges in establishing themselves as the town’s primary franchise.
The Dolphins emerged during a pivotal time in Miami’s history, uniting a diverse community through the love of football. Amid various societal changes and tensions, cheering for the Dolphins has been a common bond.
Now, players like Calais Campbell, in his first season with Miami, share in the optimism surrounding the team. Others, like Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa, sense a unique energy within the group.
Though this excitement often accompanies the season’s start, Dolfans have learned to remain cautious, having experienced both high hopes and crushing disappointments.
Yet, they continue to believe. After all, you never forget your first love, and with that comes the hope that anything is possible.
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